For many generations, parenting by LGBT people was not an option. Increasing acceptance by society has made it possible for many LGBT couples and individuals to adopt or become foster care parents to infants, children, and teens. Even as nontraditional families continue to thrive in our country, many anti-LGBT religious and political groups campaign against LGBT individuals and couples adopting or becoming foster care parents.

Whether or not an individual or couple can adopt within any particular state may depend upon what county they live in or the judge that hears their case. States also vary on second-parent/step-parent/joint adoption laws, which allow the non-biological or non-legal parent to establish a legal relationship with their child.

In some states, LGBT people can adopt and become foster care parents, in other states they cannot. For instance:

Florida – the only state that explicitly prohibits adoption by gay and lesbian couples and same-sex couples.

Nebraska – Department of Social Services prohibits adoption and foster care by individuals known to be gay or lesbian.

Conservative religious and political groups are working hard to bring up legislation or ballot measures that would ban LGBT individuals and couples from adopting or becoming foster care parents. A March 2007 report from the Williams Institute confirms that prohibiting LGBT people from adopting or becoming foster care parents would bring more instability in the lives of youth in the foster care system and increased costs to the states. Even though this legislation has been defeated in states like Ohio, Georgia, and Texas, we do not expect the anti-LGBT groups to stop their malicious campaign against LGBT parents.